Europe’s Biometric Enty-Exit System to Go Live November 10, Says EU Home Affairs Commissioner

“There may have been times you believed it will never happen. But it’s going to happen. Everything is coming together.”

The European Union’s post-Brexit Entry/Exit System (EES) will become operational on November 10, according to EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson. The EES, initially scheduled to launch in 2022, has faced numerous delays due to IT issues and the installation of automated barriers at international borders, among other issues. Johansson confirmed that the system is now in its final testing phase, with all necessary preparations nearing completion.

In comments made during a visit to eu-LISa, the European Union agency overseeing the IT infrastructure of the EES, Johansson was emphatic.

“The moment is finally there,” she said. “There may have been times you believed it will never happen. But it’s going to happen. Everything is coming together. We’re in the final testing phase. There is a real momentum now. Carriers, operators, train stations, airports, everyone is getting ready for the big day..”

The EES will require non-EU travelers, including UK citizens who do not need visas to enter the EU, to register their entry and exit by scanning their passports or other travel documents at self-service kiosks at border checkpoints. The system will collect biometric data, including face scans and fingerprints, valid for multiple trips over three years. The primary goal is to enhance border security and monitor travelers who overstay their permitted time in the Schengen Area.

However, there are concerns about potential travel delays due to the new system. French authorities will manage EES checks at the UK’s Port of Dover, Eurostar, and Eurotunnel, and are working with the UK government to minimize its impact on border traffic. The system is expected to cause longer queues, particularly for ferry traffic between Dover and Calais. The European Commission has suggested a gradual and flexible introduction of the EES to mitigate waiting times.

In addition to the EES, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch roughly six months later in 2025. ETIAS will require non-EU citizens who do not need a visa to obtain travel authorization before entering the Schengen Area. The electronic authorization will be valid for three years and linked to the traveler’s passport.

Source: Euronews

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August 19, 2024 – by Cass Kennedy and Alex Perala